Adopting Through Foster Care
March 11, 2008 - Tuesday
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM (EST)
Guest Speakers: Sarah Gerstenzang, Assistant Project Director, Collaboration of AdoptUsKids at The Adoption Exchange Association
Categories
Adoption •
Foster Care
| [Tue Mar 11 13:30:17 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan joined. | |
| [Tue Mar 11 13:32:52 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | A very early greeting from Corey Whelan, your chat moderator. I am experiencing some major league computer problems. I hope I will be able to continue to log on for the entire chat. If that is not the case, please type in your questions for Sarah Gerstenzang, and she will answer you - Ms. Gerstenzang has just written a book that I hope you will all consider reading. Ms. Gerstenzang's chat with us ends at 9 p.m. but as always, you are all welcome to use the chat room for as long as you would like to stay. Hopefully, I'll be here! And if you would like to contact me you can send me an email at corey@theafa.org |
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| [Tue Mar 11 16:47:35 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Hi guys! I didn't think I'd be able to make it on, but here I am. Sarah, are you Sara Gerstenzang? |
| [Tue Mar 11 16:48:03 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Hi Michelem, how are you? |
| [Tue Mar 11 16:48:05 PDT 2008] | Sarah | yes! |
| [Tue Mar 11 16:48:49 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Welcome! This is so great, I am really looking forward to learning about foster care and adoption. Sarah, I believe you are interested in giving autographed copies of your books to the first five folks who log on, is that correct? |
| [Tue Mar 11 16:49:32 PDT 2008] | Sarah | I have 3 copies available and am happy to do so. |
| [Tue Mar 11 16:50:27 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Fantastic. I think Michelem must have stepped away, I will let the first three know to email you their addresses. |
| [Tue Mar 11 16:50:54 PDT 2008] | Sarah | Great. |
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| [Tue Mar 11 16:57:57 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Hi Dan, it's Corey, I'm here, you can log off if you'd like or you are welcome to stay. |
| [Tue Mar 11 16:58:36 PDT 2008] | Moderator-DBecker To[Private] Sarah | HI Sarah let me know if there is something that I can help you with durring tonights chat |
| [Tue Mar 11 16:58:43 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Hi Michelem, welcome back. As the first person to log on, Sarah is going to send you an autographed copy of her book - congratulations, it's great. Please email her your address directly. |
| [Tue Mar 11 16:59:07 PDT 2008] | Sarah To[Private] Moderator-DBecker | ok, thanks. |
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| [Tue Mar 11 16:59:38 PDT 2008] | Moderator-DBecker | Hi COREY WOW what a surprize - not feeling too good but I will stay for awhile |
| [Tue Mar 11 16:59:43 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan To[Private] Moderator-DBecker | Hi Dan, sorry for the hassle. My computer is dead but I was able to log on for the chat |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:00:53 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Sorry you're not feeling well! Thanks so much for pitch hitting. Pinch hitting? Whichever is correct! Sarah, you have 2 official moderators - an AFA first! You rate! Dan Becker, Esq. is a long time member of our board of directors. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:01:39 PDT 2008] | Moderator-DBecker | Somehow I re-injured my bad foot/ankle |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:01:40 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Welcome iluvtwizzlers, I do too! As the second person to log on, you have won an autographed book from our speaker, Sarah Gerstenzang. Please email her your address after the chat. |
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| [Tue Mar 11 17:01:58 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | And folks, we are ready to take your questions. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:02:10 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Hi Baby, ditto the book offer for you as well - the last one. |
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| [Tue Mar 11 17:03:03 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Sarah, what would you like folks to know about foster care and adoption? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:03:16 PDT 2008] | lscasterlow | good evening |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:03:16 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Welcome everyone! Glad you could join us tonight. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:03:25 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Hi! |
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| [Tue Mar 11 17:03:39 PDT 2008] | babyblessings | My husband and I are going to try IVF soon. We have talked many times that if that doesn't work, we're going to look into adoption. How cold we go about getting a new born through foster care? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:03:42 PDT 2008] | iluvtwizzlers2 | greetings! |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:04:02 PDT 2008] | Sarah | I think people often get confused about the difference btwn foster care and adoption from foster care. Foster care is temporary and adoption from foster is permanent! |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:04:15 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Babyblessings question is next. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:04:32 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Hi Nancy, welcome |
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| [Tue Mar 11 17:05:31 PDT 2008] | Sarah | there are newborns that are adopted through foster care but not lots and lots. Our daughter came to us when she was 5 weeks and we adopted her at 2 years 9 months. But we knew that we wanted to be foster parents first - not necessarily adopt. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:06:03 PDT 2008] | babynow | hello, all. We would like to know more about foster care and how it may lead to adoption |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:06:14 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Sarah, when your daughter first entered your home, did you know she would become available to adopt? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:06:28 PDT 2008] | lscasterlow | I am currently a foster parent of two little girls. I wanted to know others experiences. I received one of my daughters at 7 days old and the other at 21 months. Neither adoption is finalized. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:06:32 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Hi babynow, that's what we will learn about tonight! |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:06:41 PDT 2008] | Sarah | Most children who are adopted from foster care are adopted by their foster parents (60%). |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:07:14 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Are there regional differences? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:07:17 PDT 2008] | Moderator-DBecker | I'm exciting, this is a great topic that is well over due!! |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:07:30 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Absolutely |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:07:42 PDT 2008] | Sarah | I thought that it was quite likely from the information that was shared with me before she came to us but it was not certain. The agency asked us to commit to adoption when she was 11 months. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:07:43 PDT 2008] | iluvtwizzlers2 | Is that true in all states, Sarah? My husband and I are licensed to adopt through CT DCF; we had to choose to either be licensed foster parents or licensed adoptive/forever family parents. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:08:21 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | What is DCF |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:08:29 PDT 2008] | lscasterlow | I would love to know why the process is so lengthy and provides so many opportunities to the birth parent? Is this the same acorss the country? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:08:37 PDT 2008] | iluvtwizzlers2 | Department of Children and Families; Connecticut's social services |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:08:47 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | guys, why not give a state roll call |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:08:50 PDT 2008] | babyblessings joined. | |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:08:55 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | thanks |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:08:57 PDT 2008] | lscasterlow | I'm from NJ |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:09:00 PDT 2008] | iluvtwizzlers2 | Connecticut |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:09:00 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Hi bb, welcome back |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:09:03 PDT 2008] | Sarah | Every state is different - which can make things confusing! We have just put up a map at adoptuskids.org (got resource center and select state guidelines on left side) with all of the states and their different rules. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:09:12 PDT 2008] | babynow | We're from NY |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:09:25 PDT 2008] | babyblessings | I'm from Connecticut also |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:09:30 PDT 2008] | Sarah | I am from NY as well. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:09:42 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | wow, a tri state crowd. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:09:50 PDT 2008] | babyblessings | Yes it is |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:10:09 PDT 2008] | michelem | I'm from NY |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:10:33 PDT 2008] | babyblessings | Are any of you currently doing Fertility treatments? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:10:34 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | guys, keep an eye on the website, as an aside, we booked our Family Matters Conference in Brooklyn today for Oct. 5th. Please all come. More details to follow! But save the date. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:10:57 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Anyone ttc? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:11:10 PDT 2008] | lscasterlow | I decided to not do fertility treatments and go with foster care because the two processes are demandning. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:11:14 PDT 2008] | Moderator-DBecker | Corey - and there is also an adoption track, correct! |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:11:24 PDT 2008] | Sarah | To answer a question above - there is federal law that guides states. Parents generally have about a year to get their act together. But the court process can take longer once decisions are made. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:11:37 PDT 2008] | iluvtwizzlers2 | we've graduated from ttc; on adoption track since January 2007 |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:11:42 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Sarah, can you talk a little bit about costs, and also, the emotional journey associated with foster care adoption. What can people expect in these states. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:11:47 PDT 2008] | lscasterlow | that is what I am experiencing with my daughters |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:11:50 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | you bet, Dan. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:11:52 PDT 2008] | babynow | Is the Family Matters Conference that is being held in Oct the one that was usually in May in Manhattan? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:12:04 PDT 2008] | Sarah | Adoption from foster care is free to very low cost. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:12:11 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | yes babynow. Except now with wine and cheese at the end of the day. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:12:27 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Free for all income brackets? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:12:35 PDT 2008] | lscasterlow | adoption through foster care has a price that is not money based thought |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:12:50 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | explain? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:12:55 PDT 2008] | Sarah | But it can be emotionally tough! If prospective parents are interested in adopting without fostering - there are 114,000 children in the US that are freed for adoption. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:13:08 PDT 2008] | lscasterlow | it is alot of emotional up and down. My daughters still see their moms every wekk |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:13:27 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Sarah, what does adopting without fostering mean exactly? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:13:29 PDT 2008] | lscasterlow | you have to deal with the lawyers, medicaid, doctors, early intervention and all the other stuff that comes along |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:13:33 PDT 2008] | babyblessings | My fear with a foster care adoption is that there is something wrong with the kid from drug abuse. Is that mostly the case? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:13:49 PDT 2008] | lscasterlow | it can be hard but it is very rewarding |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:14:11 PDT 2008] | lscasterlow | well, remember you can have your own child do everything right and still have a disability or issue |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:14:11 PDT 2008] | Sarah | That means that the children are in foster care but will definately not be returning to their birth families and are free for adoption. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:14:15 PDT 2008] | lscasterlow | you love them anyway |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:14:39 PDT 2008] | iluvtwizzlers2 | placement consideration calls we've been receiving since October 2007 have not reflected any drug abuse |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:14:42 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | got it, thank you. So if there are so many, w hy don't more people adopt through this route? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:14:50 PDT 2008] | Sarah | States are legally required to share all information about the child before you adopt. So parents should be aware of what they are getting into. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:14:58 PDT 2008] | Moderator-DBecker | Sarah so when you agree to foster it is with the possiblity of an adoption at the end of the road? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:15:02 PDT 2008] | lscasterlow | some states call the children legally free |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:15:56 PDT 2008] | Sarah | Some people decide to only foster, some people decide to only adopt and some people decide to foster and adopt if that is an option. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:16:06 PDT 2008] | babyblessings | I would love to adopt a US baby, but I'm afraid that the biological parent will want the baby back. What are the laws with foster adoption children? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:16:09 PDT 2008] | Moderator-DBecker | IScasterlow, you don't know how right you are, believe me! |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:16:35 PDT 2008] | babynow | We are finding it difficult to follow what appears to be many threads of conversation. what is the range of time span for moving from foster care to adoption in foster care adoption. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:16:58 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | ok, I think babynow's questions are next, Sarah. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:18:09 PDT 2008] | Sarah | That can really depend on the situation. But the decision as to the permanent outcome for a child should take about a year - either they will return hone or be freed for adoption. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:20:07 PDT 2008] | Sarah | Adoptions are legal-binding and the birth parents rights are terminated so while many worry about that, there are legal protections and it is very, very unlikely that the birth parents will interfere. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:20:38 PDT 2008] | babynow | Are you saying that once past the year (or whatever the timeline may be), then the biological parents can no longer claim the child. In other words, the foster child is free to be adopted? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:20:43 PDT 2008] | babyblessings | That's always good to know. |
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| [Tue Mar 11 17:21:48 PDT 2008] | Sarah | The court makes a decision that the rights of the birth parents should be terminated because they are not able to care for the child. Then the child is freed for adoption. |
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| [Tue Mar 11 17:23:11 PDT 2008] | michelem | If you definately know you want to adopt would you say you should try to foster a child first or wait for a child that is legally free? |
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| [Tue Mar 11 17:23:44 PDT 2008] | lscasterlow | Sarah, its seems that these proceedings are being extended longer and longer to provide the birth parents with opportunities to improve their situation. Why is this happening when the child is left unstable for more than a year at times? Are there organizations out there to truly speak for the child? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:25:18 PDT 2008] | Sarah | That is a tough one! If you want a very young child, it is more likely that you will have one placed with you if you are willing to foster. However, it is very tough to support a situation where you want to adopt and the first option has to be having the child return to a birth parent. it depends on each individual, I think. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:25:41 PDT 2008] | Moderator-DBecker | Welcome Karen to tonight's chat |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:26:00 PDT 2008] | karen | thank you sorry i joined late |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:26:31 PDT 2008] | lscasterlow | why is the child going back the first option. so situations demonstrate that is not the best option. i.e. a cild born drug exposed or addicted |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:26:32 PDT 2008] | Moderator-DBecker | It's never the time that you start it is just that you do start |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:26:40 PDT 2008] | babyblessings | What are the chances of fostering an infant? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:26:42 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Hi Karen, welcome!!!! |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:27:10 PDT 2008] | Sarah | There are organizations and many children also have legal guardians to speak for their interests. However, the best thing as a prospective parent is to be aware of the laws yourself and make sure that the caseworker is also aware. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:27:18 PDT 2008] | iluvtwizzlers2 | Sarah, what are the current statistics surrounding children reuniting with their birthparents? We've heard between 60% and 90%. |
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| [Tue Mar 11 17:28:28 PDT 2008] | Sarah | About 50% of children return home. I think that is very important that we support the return of children to their birth families - it is in the chlld's best interest if the family can be helped. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:28:38 PDT 2008] | babynow | Is there any difference in the home study for foster care vs. adoption in US? Does being Internationally certified automatically mean that one is certified domestically? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:29:11 PDT 2008] | Moderator-DBecker | Hi Pamela welcome to tonight's chat |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:29:17 PDT 2008] | iluvtwizzlers2 | Sarah, actually, I completely agree, our training advised us that family reunification is the federal and state mandate |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:29:36 PDT 2008] | Sarah | There are differences in homestudies. You should ask what types of adoptions your homestudy could be used for. |
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| [Tue Mar 11 17:30:44 PDT 2008] | babynow | We are hearing about what's in the child's best interest. We have heard that foster children can go from foster home to the next. Is it really in the child's best interest to go from foster home to another when the child is happy with the foster parent(s)? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:30:59 PDT 2008] | Pamela | We fostered for four months in Maine and now have moved to Colorado and have to go thru training and a home study here even though we have already been thru the training-our training and home study covered foster and adoption. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:31:02 PDT 2008] | babyblessings | If you decide to foster a child, is it best to assume that that child will be taken away from you to his/her biological parents? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:32:00 PDT 2008] | Sarah | No, it is definately not good for children to move. Good social work practice would be that a child would move the least times possible. |
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| [Tue Mar 11 17:32:39 PDT 2008] | Moderator-DBecker | tcreed welcome to tonight's chat with Sarah Gerstenzang |
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| [Tue Mar 11 17:33:17 PDT 2008] | Sarah | Foster parents should be part of the case planning team. Decisions made for the child should not be a surprise. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:33:38 PDT 2008] | michelem | What is the most comprehensive website to see photolistings of "legally free" children? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:33:42 PDT 2008] | babynow | What are the reasons for taking a foster child out of one home and placed into another when there are no indications of abuse, etc? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:34:00 PDT 2008] | Sarah | adoptuskids.org |
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| [Tue Mar 11 17:34:38 PDT 2008] | Sarah | Almost 10,000 children placed on adoptuskids.org have been placed with families. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:34:39 PDT 2008] | Pamela | We are being asked if we are interested in foster or foster to adopt. The goal is to reunify all children with their biological parents however they do get cases that do not look very good for this to happen and want to place the child with a family that is looking to adopt so that child does not have to be moved again. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:35:33 PDT 2008] | Sarah | yes, Pamela. And all foster parents are given information about hte situation before the child is placed with them. We said no to about 4 situations. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:36:59 PDT 2008] | Sarah | AdoptUsKids has teams in every state to help families learn about foster care and adoption. You can call 888-200-4005 or go to adoptsuskids.org to have someone call you in your state. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:37:37 PDT 2008] | babynow | With the strong possibility of a foster child being returned to the biological parents, how does one go about acclimating a foster child to the family's culture? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:38:04 PDT 2008] | Pamela | It is important to be very specific with the type and number of children you are willing to foster/adopt. The system gets desperate and will ask if you will take children out of your profile-we did that the first time and took two young sisters and it was more than I bargained, a wonderful experience but do not feel guilty about saying no if it is not exactly what you are looking for. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:38:57 PDT 2008] | babynow | Waht is meant by "profile"? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:39:38 PDT 2008] | Pamela | They will teach you alot in training about how to acclimate a child to your environment you will be suprised at how resilient they are and how quickly they adjust. Most of the children have not had alot of nuturing and they respond well to a loving home. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:39:40 PDT 2008] | Sarah | I think making a child feel comfortable in your home is an individual decision and much will depend on the age of the child. It helps a lot if older children can talk about their likes and dislikes but of course, it is always an adjustment. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:40:51 PDT 2008] | Sarah | We took a lot of pictures when our daughter was in foster care and always saved one set for the birth mom. Of course, I am very happy to have those photos myself. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:41:19 PDT 2008] | Pamela | Your profile is a specific description of the child you are willing to parent and what fits your specific situation. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:41:22 PDT 2008] | iluvtwizzlers2 | we just attended a session about Lifebook creation / maintenance. It seems like an invaluable tool for everyone, most importantly for the child. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:41:28 PDT 2008] | babynow | To be more specific about family culture, how does one foster to a child that is outside of one's religious beliefs? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:42:46 PDT 2008] | Sarah | As foster parents, you should discuss that with the caseworker and come up with a mutually agreeable solution. |
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| [Tue Mar 11 17:44:05 PDT 2008] | babynow | We are getting lost and would find it very helpful if the person who is answering a question can indicate whose question is being addressed. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:44:36 PDT 2008] | Sarah | We also help parent some older children (3 siblings) and I am always touched by how grateful they are for small things that my other children take for granted. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:44:44 PDT 2008] | babyblessings | What website do I go into to get the Connecticut laws on foster care adoption? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:45:48 PDT 2008] | Sarah | babyblessings: go to adoptuskids.org, select Resource Center, select State Guidelines from the left column and click on CT on the map at the bottom. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:47:33 PDT 2008] | Sarah | Adoption from foster care isn't always easy. And neither is being a foster parent... But it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:47:49 PDT 2008] | babynow | Does the birth parents have a say in who will foster his/her child? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:49:16 PDT 2008] | Sarah | Babynow: No, they do not. However, relatives of the child are asked first to foster a child and if no one is available or willing, unrelated foster parents are asked if they are interested. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:50:08 PDT 2008] | babyblessings | Thanks Sarah. This session was very informative. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:50:33 PDT 2008] | babynow | We wish to clarify something from before. Is it true that adoption via foster care adoption has little to no costs? Why would this be? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:50:37 PDT 2008] | Sarah | babyblessings: my pleasure! thanks for joining. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:51:34 PDT 2008] | babyblessings left. | |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:52:46 PDT 2008] | Sarah | babynow: Because it is funded by the state and federal government. It is very expensive and bad for children to stay in foster care. We have a great system in many ways here in the US. In addition to being an inexpensive process for adoptive parents, the majority of children who are adopted are also eligible for adoption assistance. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:53:20 PDT 2008] | tranbri joined. | |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:53:45 PDT 2008] | Pamela | The hardest thing for me fostering was the emotional rollercoaster I felt dealing with the birth mother-there are times you want to give her a big hug and be so supportive and there are times she doesn't show up for a visit and you see the disappointment in the children and your feelings get very confused but overall a wonderful experience-the children gave me alot. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:53:50 PDT 2008] | alison joined. | |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:53:57 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Hi tranbri, welcome to the last few m inutes of our chat. Would you like to ask a question? You can see the transcript by scrolling the action button. Ditto Alison |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:54:15 PDT 2008] | alison | thank you |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:54:18 PDT 2008] | tranbri | just watching, thinking... |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:54:30 PDT 2008] | chrisserm1 joined. | |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:54:46 PDT 2008] | Sarah | yes, I agree with you, Pamela. It is the hardest and yet, most rewarding thing that I have put myself through! |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:54:51 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Hi Chrissem |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:55:10 PDT 2008] | Pamela | I agree 100% Sarah |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:55:51 PDT 2008] | babynow | It's been a very interesting session - even if it has been difficult for us to follow. We did gain some additional information and did trigger some more questions, which we didn't get a chance to ask. Hopefully there will be a way to obtain more information. Who can we contact? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:57:15 PDT 2008] | Sarah | If you call 888-200-4005 or register yourself on adoptuskids.org, a family advocate from your state will contact you and answer any question you have. They will also help you find an agency, if you are interested. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:57:52 PDT 2008] | iluvtwizzlers2 | Corey, who do I email about what you mentioned at the beginning of this chat? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:58:08 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Guys, I want to thank you all so much for being here tonight. iluv, you can email Sarah or myself. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:58:28 PDT 2008] | iluvtwizzlers2 | I didn't catch Sarah's email address... |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:58:43 PDT 2008] | iluvtwizzlers2 | I do hope AFA will host another chat ~ I agree there must be other questions. |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:58:48 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Sarah, and Dan too! Thanks so much. What a great chat. As always, you guys are welcome to stay and use the chat room as long as you would like. Sarah, can you give your email address? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:58:55 PDT 2008] | Sarah | sgerstenzang@adoptuskids.org |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:59:04 PDT 2008] | Moderator-DBecker | Good nite and good luck to all |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:59:04 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | iluv, we have chats every week - would you like to see another chat on fostercare adoption? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:59:18 PDT 2008] | alison left. | |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:59:20 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | nite Dan! love to the family! |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:59:24 PDT 2008] | Sarah | Thanks, everyone. I really enjoyed this discussion! |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:59:39 PDT 2008] | Moderator-DBecker | Sarah on behalf of the Board of Directors of The AFA we thank you for your time to help our community!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:59:49 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | Sarah, this was terrific. Thank you so very much. I would like to give you a booth at our conference - let's talk about that, ok? |
| [Tue Mar 11 17:59:49 PDT 2008] | babynow | YES, I think it is a very important question that needs to be answered! |
| [Tue Mar 11 18:00:12 PDT 2008] | Moderator-DBecker | Thanks Corey - looking forward to TTYS |
| [Tue Mar 11 18:00:20 PDT 2008] | Moderator-DBecker left. | |
| [Tue Mar 11 18:00:25 PDT 2008] | babynow | BYE and thank you. |
| [Tue Mar 11 18:00:36 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan | bye all. best of luck to all of you. |
| [Tue Mar 11 18:00:39 PDT 2008] | Corey_Whelan left. | |
| [Tue Mar 11 18:00:46 PDT 2008] | iluvtwizzlers2 | thanks! |
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